Pain pills can make a huge difference in how you feel, especially when consuming them to combat chronic pain in important body parts. Pain relief is especially worth it, but many question whether it’s worth the risk of consuming pain medication. The most commonly used prescription medicines contain opioids, which are highly effective and addictive substances.
Opioids are extremely valuable — especially when dealing with high pain levels — but even prescription opioids have their risks. Whether you’re currently taking or considering pain medication, here are a few things to note that might help prevent an accidental addiction.
How Opioids Can Lead to Addictions
It’s impossible to predict the likelihood of opioid drug dependency, which means everyone is at risk of going too far. Opioids trigger endorphins, which are released and create a feel-good sensation in the body. With this feeling comes pain relief and a heightened sense of happiness and comfort your brain starts to chase. The more the drug is consumed, the more you’d need to reach that feeling. Over time, these factors leave individuals craving more opiates every second of the day.
Doctors are keenly aware of the risks of increasing opioid dosages, which can lead individuals to illegal methods of consuming the drug. Without a doctor or family member even knowing, a simple pain pill prescription can easily lead to an accidental addiction. Illicit substances are often laced with other contaminants, potentially leading to addictions to other substances or even fatal bodily responses.
The Risk Factors You Should Pay Close Attention to
While we may not be able to determine the exact numbers, there are a few risk factors that doctors and medical professionals pay attention to when it comes to opioid dependency. Opioids are more likely to lead to dependency when taken outside a prescription and from methods like sniffing or injections. Many of the risks involve individuals living in unstable situations, either due to unemployment or a family history of substance abuse. Here are some other risk factors to keep in mind:
- Individuals living under the poverty line
- Unstable job situation
- History of substance abuse
- Family history of substance abuse
- History of criminal activity
- History of mental health conditions
- Risk takers
- Prior experience at drug rehabilitation centers
How to Prevent Opioid Dependency
Preventing physical dependence on opioids starts with limiting consumption. The best way to use opioids is for acute pain and in small amounts. Taking opioids for less than three days is generally believed to be a safe consumption method, and doctors can work to provide the lowest dose possible that still makes a decent impact on the feeling of pain.
People enduring chronic pain shouldn’t be prescribed opioids, so focus on safer and less effective alternatives. Many other methods have similar effects without having to take on the substance abuse risk. Of course, if your opioid dependency has gone too far, or if you believe a loved one is struggling to remove themselves from the substance, contacting an opioid rehab center might be the best route.
If Pain Pill Consumption Has Gone Too Far, Steps to Recovery Can Help
Pain pills can make life easier, especially when extreme pain makes it difficult to perform basic tasks. That said, the relief pain pills bring is temporary, and you shouldn’t rely on them more than what is prescribed. If your pain pill consumption has become unhealthy, Steps to Recovery can help. Our treatment facility can support people withdrawing from opiates and other commonly used drugs. Our medical professionals can prescribe quality drug treatment programs and offer assistance every step of the way. Contact Steps to Recovery today at 866-488-8684 if you or a loved one are dealing with the side effects of substance abuse.
